Maya Research Program

Community Photos

About

The Maya Research Program is a U.S.-based non-profit organization (501c3) that sponsors archaeological and ethnographic research in Middle America. Each summer since 1992, we have sponsored archaeological fieldwork at the ancient Maya sites of Blue Creek, Nojol Nah, Xnoha, and Grey Fox in northwestern Belize. In 2013 we again offer opportunities to participate in our field program and learn about the Maya of the past and today. The Blue Creek project is open to student and non-student participants, regardless of experience. The field school is certified by the Register of Professional Archaeologists and participants will receive training in archaeological field and laboratory techniques. Academic credit and scholarships are available.

Website

Founded

Connect with us

Headquarters

Reviews

This Summer of 2013 will be my 8th season. To be transparent I first arrived during the 1996 season, as a middle aged avocational archaeologist, married with two teenagers. I was a long way from my college years(UMASS '69) but after speaking to Dr. Thomas Guderjan, the Program Director, he reassured me there was a place for me at the Maya Research Program. That year we did alot of walking and slept in single or double tents.

Now so many years later, we sleep in water proof cabanas, have shower and bathgroom facilitiesn as well as, having two home cooked meals a day, with plenty of varied food choices suitable fo most tastes.

This program has resulted in valuable research and countless post- graduate degrees.

You will work according to your skill set, real or perceived. You will lectures by the staff at least 4-5 times a week. The main social activties are centered around and underneath our brand new palapa. Right across from a front get is the Delicacy Cafe with wi-fi, delicious food and various desserts and assorted beverages.

Everyone looks out for one another and some have become life long friends with a few marriages thrown into the mix over the years.

There are short term courses that may be taken for college credit, with no more than 8-10 students per session. Personally i could write another 5 pages, but for the sake of brevity, this is the place to go for 2-8 weeks this Summer. i will greet you and welcome you to the MRP family upon your arrival. Best wishes, Sarge

An average day begins around 530 am, breakfast ends at 630 am and by 700 am, we load up in our trucks and vans and go off to our assignments. Some volunteers take part in exvacation, while others will perform mapping, GPS plotting and working in our extensive concrete laboratory.

How can this program be improved?

1. Hot water
2. More Lab time
3. Change up the day off field trips for repeating attendees
4. More pineapple squares for dessert (seriously)

I attended MRP's 2011 field season, and it was entirely new to me. I had no idea what to expect, and I was so afraid that my first experience excavating would be over my head.

Imagine getting off of the bus in a foreign country, feeling completely insecure, and... a group of forty of your best friends pops out of the woodwork to greet you. This is exactly how it felt to arrive at MRP, and I didn't even know a single person there! The participants are so warm and laid-back, and the staff is incredibly supportive. They're always willing to be cornered after dinner and answer your questions until they're blue in the face. Being at MRP is like having an entire set of private tutors who are all experts in their field, and will also drink a beer with you.

As far as actual archaeological experience, it runs the gamut from survey to mapping to test pits to architecture to human burial. If you express ANY interest in a particular archaeological topic, they will do their best to make sure that you get to try it first-hand, even if you're only around for a two-week session.

Long story short: it's a phenomenal learning experience, and you'll be lifetime friends with the other volunteers as soon as you meet them. I guarantee that even after a two-week session, you'll return home feeling a) like a real archaeologist and b)like you are completely hooked and can't wait to go back.

During my time at MRP, I learned basics to build my archaeological career foundation upon and built relationships that will last a lifetime. The staff has so much care and time put into the program. They are more than dedicated and are there simply because it's what their heart desires. They spend so much time getting to know everyone and make sure everyone is included while sticking strictly to the rules and safety precautions. MRP is one of a kind because of it's staff and amazing site opportunities. There are many different places to work in the season. Camp is great, especially for an archaeological camp and conditions are more than what you would expect. The things I learned there have remained with me. It wasn't just about the dig, it turned into being a lifetime experience that I will never forget.

The Maya Research Program is a U.S.-based non-profit organization (501C3) that sponsors archaeological and ethnographic research in Middle America. Each summer since 1992, MRP has sponsored archaeological fieldwork at the ancient Maya site of Blue Creek in northwestern Belize. In 2012 MRP again offers opportunities to participate in the field program and learn about the Maya of the past and today.

The Blue Creek project is open to student and non-student participants, regardless of experience. The field school is certified by the Register of Professional Archaeologists and participants will receive training in archaeological field and laboratory techniques